How to recognize tactical moves/patterns

I'm familiar with basic tactical patterns like decoys, pins, etc.. but now I want to improve my abilities.

Some questions about that:

- What software and books are best to use?- There are a lot of articles on the internet that explain the tactics, but what i miss is some theory about how to recognize those patterns ina position? are there theories and rules that help us to find/recognize potential tactical patterns?

Once you recognize tactical patterns, the idea is to try to use them for your benefit in your own games, and to prevent them being used against you by the opponent. You can add to your personal knowledge base of tactical ideas simply by falling for them yourself, but only once each.

It's a matter of developing a chess "vision" where you can imagine the possibilties and work to bring them about. You get that mainly through practice, practice, practice - slower games with time to think.

Chess Tactics from Scratch by Martin Weteschnik is a book that may interest you. It's very much about how to recognize the factors that create tactics. Here's a link to a sample of what that book is like:

In order to try to recognize tactical positions, I recommend John Bain's Chess Tactics for Students. I myself own this workbook, and I cut the problems out of it so I cant see which side is to move and the topic of the tactic. It makes it more difficult but I am beginning to see tactical indicators.

In order to try to recognize tactical positions, I recommend John Bain's Chess Tactics for Students. I myself own this workbook, and I cut the problems out of it so I cant see which side is to move and the topic of the tactic. It makes it more difficult but I am beginning to see tactical indicators.

+Infinity.

This book is the "level 1-1 from Super Mario Bros" ... you *have* to master all patterns inside it before even considering tackling more complicated tactical problems. All strong players can see basic shots (such as those in this book) INSTANTLY.

Also => if you're software savvy, you could always create PGNs of these positions and drill them on both desktop (CPT, Chessbase) or mobile software (iChess Tactics)

I'm familiar with basic tactical patterns like decoys, pins, etc.. but now I want to improve my abilities.

Some questions about that:

- What software and books are best to use?- There are a lot of articles on the internet that explain the tactics, but what i miss is some theory about how to recognize those patterns ina position? are there theories and rules that help us to find/recognize potential tactical patterns?

I would love to get some advice from experts.

Thanks.

This is exactly the approach Tal's Winning Chess Combinations takes. One of the most underrated books ever. Unfortunately, you'll probably have to search around for a used copy, and put up with descriptive notation.

Dan Heisman's "Seeds of Tactical Destruction" article may be of some help to you, too. An extended version of the article is also included as a chapter in his book Back to Basics: Tactics. That's another very good tactics book, btw.